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Fantasy Baseball Preview: Will Franklin Gutierrez See 20/20 in 2010?

Feb 22, 2010

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

Gutierrez stepped it up last year hitting .283 with 85 runs, 18 HRs, 70 RBIs, and 16 SBs. He turned 27 yesterday so continued progression is likely. However, I’m not sure he has a 20/20 season in his future.

The bulk of his stolen bases, seven to be exact, came when he was hitting out of the two-hole. Newly acquired Chone Figgins figures to occupy that spot in the order meaning Gutierrez will hit fifth.

He hit nearly half (8) of his HRs in the fifth slot (in 21.9 percent of his ABs). He only stole two bases there though. Hitting fifth takes a different mentality than hitting second. His job is no longer to get on base and get in scoring position. His job is to drive in runs.

I believe he’ll do that well in 2010. I just don’t see him as the all-around threat he was last year.